arieljasmine
<font color=magenta>Who says these things pass you
- Joined
- Apr 12, 2004
- Messages
- 6,098
Day Eight (Friday) - Animal Kingdom, Epcot, MGM and Magic Kingdom
Me - Laur's - 27
DH - Andy - 27
Up at 8.30 am this morning, feeling pretty down because this is our last full day. However, I know we have a fun packed day ahead of us. Historically on our last full day we do three parks (AK, Epcot and MK) and then Disney Quest in the evening, the idea being that we do all our favourite things again. However, this time we decide, as the Magic Kingdom is open until 3 am, that we'll do MK at night instead. We have breakfast in the room, a croissant with honey and froot loops for me, and a croissant with strawberry jam and corn pops for Andy.
We then set out for AK, arriving about 10.15 am. We went straight for Dinosaur, and only have a 15 minute wait. This was a really special one for me as the ride actually went all the way round in sync and without stopping at all, which was really nice for our last ride on it of the holiday. After Dinosaur, there were the first of many tears that day. We then went down to see Pooh and friends, and I had an extra special long cuddle with Pooh. Andy also got his picture with Eeyore (his favourite WTP character) and we both had a picture with Tigger.
We left for Epcot around 11.30 am, after waiting about 15 minutes for a bus, and arrived there at 11.45. We had wanted to ride Test Track, but the queue was 95 minutes, we didn't have time to get a FP and Andy didn't want to leave me on my own for ages while he did single rider. We went over instead to Electric Umbrella intending to get some lunch, but it was such a zoo in there we decided not to bother. We went instead to Seasons in the Land. I thought this would be jammed too, but it wasn't as bad. We shared a ham and red onion sandwich, a turkey and cheese sandwich, some Miss Vickie crisps and some cheddar cheese popcorn! This was definitely tastier than it sounds.
After lunch we joined the long queue for Turtle Talk with Crush. This was a first for us, and we both really enjoyed it. The interaction with the audience is so clever and funny, even better than I expected. After seeing Crush, we went to check out the new Club Cool and try some different kinds of pop (soda to my American friends). I liked Mezzo Mix best, the German one, which is coke and orange, but the Italian one is truly revolting - drink this at your peril!
Next on our tour of the World was MGM Studios, we arrived there around 3.30 pm. We took in the 3.45 pm showing of Voyage of the Little Mermaid - great timing, I think we got the last two seats in the house. The going home blues had really kicked in by this point, and I think I probably cried for most of this show (which I love, by the way). After this we went round the back of the magic of animation so I could have my picture with Chicken Little and Abby Mallard. I thought this was an important picture to get as they probably won't be here again. The CM offered to take the photo so Andy could be in it - but he gave her a "you've got to be kidding" look.
We were hoping to watch the Stars in Motor Cars parade, but as we came out of there the sky had turned dark, and heavy spots of rain began to fall. All around us Americans started cheering (never happens in England that, funnily enough) and the heavens opened. People had been telling us all week how desperate they were for rain and now here it was. I couldn't believe how violent the storm was (and this is bearing in mind that I love thunder and lightning, and we were here for Hurricane Jeanne in 2004). The claps of thunder sounded like bombs going off, it was pretty scary.
We ducked into the villains shop to get out of the downpour as we didn't have our umbrella. Then something magical happened. I found the pirates vest I had been looking for! I tried one on and it looks uber cool so I bought it quick before it disappeared. It has a picture of a pirate skull on the front and says Pillaging since 1796 (and Pirates of the Caribbean on the back). Yeah! We walked through here to the candy shop and bought a gingerbread Mickey cookie to share, very nice, and then braved the rain to get back to the Pop around 5.45 pm to shower and change.
We got to MK about 7.30 pm. It had pretty much dried up and it was feeling a bit steamy. We went to the Columbia Harbour House for tea as I had read on the boards about this place being quiet. Definitely true, we could have had our pick of seats. I looked around a bit wondering whether the rest of the clientele were Disers too! We both had chicken strips and fries which were very good.
We went to get a FP for Winnie the Pooh after tea. We were astounded by how quiet the park was - we had definitely picked a great night for it. I guess the earlier rain and the fact that it had cooled off had put people off. We had a ride on the carrousel as I had always wanted to do this at night. It was really magical. We then went on Snow White, Small World, Winnie the Pooh and got a FP for Peter Pan.
After this we walked over to Toon Town to have a look at our pictures in the Judges Tent shop. This is definitely the place to go and look at your pictures - you can view photos taken at any park here. We got our picture from in front of the castle at night, and also bought a picture of us with Mickey and Minnie in their Easter costumes. After collecting our photos, we struggled over to the Adventureland bridge to watch Wishes from a different viewpoint. It was pretty crowded here, but the view was good and there was still cuddling room! I cried all the way through this and for ages afterwards too.
To cheer me up we went on Pirates next. The CM made me laugh - he told someone to "smile, you're not at Universal Studios now!" We did Peter Pan next, and then walked back to Liberty Square to watch the 11 pm Spectromagic parade from there. This was so special - we literally wandered out of the Christmas shop as the parade was about to start and still got to stand right against at the rope at the front. Nearly every character waved at me, including Ariel, which I was thrilled about, and we got some great pictures.
We then went on Haunted Mansion - does anyone else find this really scary at night?! I was terrified! Funny what a difference the dark can make. We went on Philharmagic next and then Buzz where Andy got a phenomenal score, knocking mine from yesterday right out of the water. We then had our final ride on Winnie the Pooh before heading out of the park. We sat a while looking back at the castle before heading for the bus back to the Pop. We got back about 2 am, and stayed up for a while drinking Bud, before falling into bed exhausted at 3 am. This was my favourite time ever at MK - the park was so empty we practically walked on to everything we wanted to, and getting to see Spectromagic so close up (without having to wait around for hours) was really magical. Definitely a lot of pixie dust around this night.
ArielJasmine
Me - Laur's - 27
DH - Andy - 27
Up at 8.30 am this morning, feeling pretty down because this is our last full day. However, I know we have a fun packed day ahead of us. Historically on our last full day we do three parks (AK, Epcot and MK) and then Disney Quest in the evening, the idea being that we do all our favourite things again. However, this time we decide, as the Magic Kingdom is open until 3 am, that we'll do MK at night instead. We have breakfast in the room, a croissant with honey and froot loops for me, and a croissant with strawberry jam and corn pops for Andy.
We then set out for AK, arriving about 10.15 am. We went straight for Dinosaur, and only have a 15 minute wait. This was a really special one for me as the ride actually went all the way round in sync and without stopping at all, which was really nice for our last ride on it of the holiday. After Dinosaur, there were the first of many tears that day. We then went down to see Pooh and friends, and I had an extra special long cuddle with Pooh. Andy also got his picture with Eeyore (his favourite WTP character) and we both had a picture with Tigger.
We left for Epcot around 11.30 am, after waiting about 15 minutes for a bus, and arrived there at 11.45. We had wanted to ride Test Track, but the queue was 95 minutes, we didn't have time to get a FP and Andy didn't want to leave me on my own for ages while he did single rider. We went over instead to Electric Umbrella intending to get some lunch, but it was such a zoo in there we decided not to bother. We went instead to Seasons in the Land. I thought this would be jammed too, but it wasn't as bad. We shared a ham and red onion sandwich, a turkey and cheese sandwich, some Miss Vickie crisps and some cheddar cheese popcorn! This was definitely tastier than it sounds.
After lunch we joined the long queue for Turtle Talk with Crush. This was a first for us, and we both really enjoyed it. The interaction with the audience is so clever and funny, even better than I expected. After seeing Crush, we went to check out the new Club Cool and try some different kinds of pop (soda to my American friends). I liked Mezzo Mix best, the German one, which is coke and orange, but the Italian one is truly revolting - drink this at your peril!
Next on our tour of the World was MGM Studios, we arrived there around 3.30 pm. We took in the 3.45 pm showing of Voyage of the Little Mermaid - great timing, I think we got the last two seats in the house. The going home blues had really kicked in by this point, and I think I probably cried for most of this show (which I love, by the way). After this we went round the back of the magic of animation so I could have my picture with Chicken Little and Abby Mallard. I thought this was an important picture to get as they probably won't be here again. The CM offered to take the photo so Andy could be in it - but he gave her a "you've got to be kidding" look.
We were hoping to watch the Stars in Motor Cars parade, but as we came out of there the sky had turned dark, and heavy spots of rain began to fall. All around us Americans started cheering (never happens in England that, funnily enough) and the heavens opened. People had been telling us all week how desperate they were for rain and now here it was. I couldn't believe how violent the storm was (and this is bearing in mind that I love thunder and lightning, and we were here for Hurricane Jeanne in 2004). The claps of thunder sounded like bombs going off, it was pretty scary.
We ducked into the villains shop to get out of the downpour as we didn't have our umbrella. Then something magical happened. I found the pirates vest I had been looking for! I tried one on and it looks uber cool so I bought it quick before it disappeared. It has a picture of a pirate skull on the front and says Pillaging since 1796 (and Pirates of the Caribbean on the back). Yeah! We walked through here to the candy shop and bought a gingerbread Mickey cookie to share, very nice, and then braved the rain to get back to the Pop around 5.45 pm to shower and change.
We got to MK about 7.30 pm. It had pretty much dried up and it was feeling a bit steamy. We went to the Columbia Harbour House for tea as I had read on the boards about this place being quiet. Definitely true, we could have had our pick of seats. I looked around a bit wondering whether the rest of the clientele were Disers too! We both had chicken strips and fries which were very good.
We went to get a FP for Winnie the Pooh after tea. We were astounded by how quiet the park was - we had definitely picked a great night for it. I guess the earlier rain and the fact that it had cooled off had put people off. We had a ride on the carrousel as I had always wanted to do this at night. It was really magical. We then went on Snow White, Small World, Winnie the Pooh and got a FP for Peter Pan.
After this we walked over to Toon Town to have a look at our pictures in the Judges Tent shop. This is definitely the place to go and look at your pictures - you can view photos taken at any park here. We got our picture from in front of the castle at night, and also bought a picture of us with Mickey and Minnie in their Easter costumes. After collecting our photos, we struggled over to the Adventureland bridge to watch Wishes from a different viewpoint. It was pretty crowded here, but the view was good and there was still cuddling room! I cried all the way through this and for ages afterwards too.
To cheer me up we went on Pirates next. The CM made me laugh - he told someone to "smile, you're not at Universal Studios now!" We did Peter Pan next, and then walked back to Liberty Square to watch the 11 pm Spectromagic parade from there. This was so special - we literally wandered out of the Christmas shop as the parade was about to start and still got to stand right against at the rope at the front. Nearly every character waved at me, including Ariel, which I was thrilled about, and we got some great pictures.
We then went on Haunted Mansion - does anyone else find this really scary at night?! I was terrified! Funny what a difference the dark can make. We went on Philharmagic next and then Buzz where Andy got a phenomenal score, knocking mine from yesterday right out of the water. We then had our final ride on Winnie the Pooh before heading out of the park. We sat a while looking back at the castle before heading for the bus back to the Pop. We got back about 2 am, and stayed up for a while drinking Bud, before falling into bed exhausted at 3 am. This was my favourite time ever at MK - the park was so empty we practically walked on to everything we wanted to, and getting to see Spectromagic so close up (without having to wait around for hours) was really magical. Definitely a lot of pixie dust around this night.
ArielJasmine
